St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-24
WINTER SPORTS.
A Plan Outlined for Utilizing Lakes
Calhoun and Harriet for Pleasure.
MAYOR AMES' SUGGESTIONS.
Racing Tracks and Skating Kinks,
Toboggan Slides, Carnivals and
Other Features Mentioned.

Mayor Ames has for several weeks
been agitating scheme to provide
winter sports for the entertainment of
the citizens of Minneapolis, and while
MS plans have not been definitely form
ulated, his suggestions will be received
as so sensible and pertinent that there
Is little doubt as to their adoption,
with perhaps slight notifications and
changes. AS chairman of the commit
tee on amusements of the board of park
commissioners, he two weeks ago made
an informal report which embraced
mainly his ideas as to what should be
done. Since then he has received en-
couragement of decided nature, which
leaves little room for doubt that his
plans will be carried out. Speaking
upon the subject, in which it was clear to
be seen his honor takes a great interest,
he yesterday said to GLOBE reporter
in casual conversation: Minnesota
winters are long and tedious, [ admit,
but st. Paul has taught us that our
winter of discomfort can be turned to
good advantage. l was asked recently
to aid financially and personally encour-
age plan to build an ice palace in OPP
position to st. Paul. l said No. L
don't believe in either antagonizlng or
attempting to compete with the enter
prise of the people of st. Paul in any
way Indicative of a spirit of opposition.
l do think, however, that something
should be done in the way of providing
our people with amusement during the
winter, and when l Say people mean
the whole people, and would like to
make the enjoyment free, or at least as
inexpensive as possible. Here is what
would like to do. and l made the same
suggestion to the park bOard-have race
tracks laid out on both Lakes Calhoun
and Harriet. The snow can be pushed
back to form wall or fence on either
side. Then let tracks for spectators
who wish to drive slowly to witness the
sport run parallel with the race course,
one coming and the other going. Pedes-
trlanS could be provided with good
lookout on the banks. | think also that
the snow should be cleared away and a
large skating rink, and perhaps two, to
include say twenty acres each, OH Lake
Calhoun, and smaller one on Lake
Harriet. Then there should be tobog-
gan slide starting from the northeast
bank of the lake over glared ice and a
return slide.
LAS to the matter of expense, the
park commission is hardly in a financial
condition to allow of much outlay. The
gentlemen of the Driving Park associ-
alton and other admirers of speedy
horses assure me that they will contrib
ute literally. The motor line ought to
do its share too, and I feel that
Tom Lowry will do the right
thing. [ would like to see prizes
offered for horse races and carnivals at
the skating Kinks. Both are sports that
should be encouraged. What l have out
lined can be improved upon, and the
plan will grow of course. This coming
week, as chairman of the amusement
committee of the park board, / mean to
make another report, and hope shall be
able to announce that | have received
substantial encouragement from the
motor line and the Driving Park asso-
citation. There will be comparatively
little expense in making the tracks and
the Kinks and the cree ton of few
rough buildings to serve as waiting, or
rather warming rooms, which won't cost
much. The park police can take charge
and preserve order. I think that we
should make our lakes as great source
OF anu sement and entertainment in
winter as our parks are in summer. 1
am only making these suggestions be-
cause | desire to have our citizens fur
nished with innocent and healthful
amusement, and shall be glad to receive
any suggestions"